Seongnam Tech Art Festival concludes amid environmental criticism

The 2026 Seongnam Tech Art Festival, held from May 23 to 25 in Seongnam, South Korea, concluded with approximately 180,000 attendees. The event, themed ‘Making the City Beat with Technology and Art,’ featured various programs across locations including Pangyo Station, Tancheon Stream, and Seongnam Stadium. Highlights included AI robot performances, technology conferences, a media canvas, and large-scale drone light shows involving up to 3,000 drones.

However, the festival faced backlash from the Seongnam Federation for Environmental Movement regarding the ‘kayak experience’ held at Tancheon Stream. Environmental groups criticized the city for reactivating defunct agricultural weirs to artificially maintain water levels for the activity. They argued this practice disrupts the river's ecosystem, which serves as a habitat for endangered species such as the Eurasian otter and the plover.

Critics labeled the move as ‘exhibitionist administration’ that contradicts Seongnam’s stated commitment to ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) principles and previous river restoration projects. While the festival successfully showcased the city's technological capabilities, environmental advocates called for a shift toward ecological festival planning that ensures coexistence between nature and citizens.